The new boutique—situated in one of the city's most charming shopping areas—marries cosmopolitan luxe with sunny California ease

Bottega Veneta creative director Tomas Maier stands in the company’s new boutique on Melrose Place in Los Angeles.

No address in Los Angeles combines upscale style and understated charm quite like Melrose Place. The picturesque tree-lined street—once the epicenter of the city’s antiques trade—has been transformed into a major fashion hub, with many of the industry’s biggest names opening unassuming boutiques there. “I’ve been familiar with the area for many years and have watched it develop into a prominent yet intimate destination for a refined clientele,” says Bottega Veneta creative director Tomas Maier. Which is why he chose the quiet three-block stretch for the Italian luxury brand’s second L.A. store, housed inside an ivy-covered building.

In contrast to Bottega Veneta’s more lavishly appointed outpost on Rodeo Drive a few miles away, the new shop was conceived to have a minimalist, gallery-like aesthetic, with crisp white interiors accented by frosted glass, transparent resin, painted steel, and lacquered wood. “The design was based around the incredible light and clean lines of the space,” Maier says. “We used materials that recede into the background, allowing the products to be the focus.”

Maier oversaw the design of the crisp, gallery-like space, which features a specially edited selection of items.

Rather than display Bottega Veneta’s full range of clothing and accessories, the 2,700-square-foot store carries a carefully edited selection inspired by the locale. “I wanted to present the collection in a way that is unique,” Maier explains. “This store is for clients who are already familiar with the brand and want a more curated assortment.” In addition to choice handbags and elegant cocktail dresses, the boutique offers home furnishings such as masculine writing desks, table lamps clad in the company’s signature woven leather, and contemporary glassware.

The ivy-clad exterior.

Although in many ways a departure for Bottega Veneta, the shop still retains the brand’s hallmarks. “For me, this means discretion, outstanding craftsmanship, timeless yet innovative design, and the highest-quality materials,” Maier says. “With those ideals in mind, we always need to move forward and evolve.” At 8445 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, CA; bottegaveneta.com

In addition to clothing and accessories, the store sells furnishings, such as this glass-top desk and